Lots have been done to the new VW T3 Highroof from 1983. I have got it running properly after lots of head scratching. It started and runned okey on idle when I bought it, but it had no power/torque and smoked a bit, so not possible to drive. The oil was nice and coolingwater had no oil mixed. Good!
I put the engine in TDC (top dead center), the cam and pump wheel marks lined up correct. After changing all filters and fuel I tuned the pump timing. But no change! đ
I decided to check the timingbelt again, it all looked right. Strange. But to be 100% sure I removed the valvecover and put the flywheel on TDC, and the camshaft in TDC on cylinder #1. The knocks on the cam should be like 10 and 14 a clock direction (valves closed). I checked the diesel pump wheel lock position it was looking right, BUT then I saw this pump wheel had a second lock position/hole. The workshop manual don’t describe this and showing only 1 locking position/hole in the pump wheel. That meaning it’s possible to put my wheel 180 degrees wrong, and pumps in fuel when the camshaft is on the #4 cylinder instead. I just loosen up the timingbelt, carefully turned the pump wheel 180 degrees and tightened it all up again. And it now runs like a champ and no smoking, awesome! VW only had this pump wheels between 1981-83 and then changed them so there where only 1 locking hole in them on 1984- onward.
I have fixed with the electrics and lights lately. New Front headlight have been installed, the old ones had bad reflectors in them and would never pass MoT safetyinspection. Turn signals did not work, not so strange when I pulled out the lightbulb holders, totally rusted out. New was ordered and installed, work great now. Rear high roof had some extra trailer/universal lights installed. Looked like shit, so they where replaced with two new LED spotlights 120watt that now are wired to the reverse back up lights. But the reverse light didn’t work, I found a loose connection (black/blue cable) in the black fuse box in the engine apartment, now works again. All lightbulbs are new and all lights are now working. The temperature gauge did not work and light for low water level flashed all the time, I noticed a black cable hanging loose besides the water expansion tank, but it had no sender and where just plugged. I ordered a new water level sender and temp sender, replaced them both and the gauge now work great again! Rear tailgate gasstruts was shot and I was tired to get it in my head all the time so replaced them with a new pair from JustKampers. Quick and great service from JustKampers as always, if you need quality VW parts those are the guys to talk to!
Left to do before safetyinspection is fixing the wipers and fan. More to come soon…
#vwt3overland
